Steve Paikin wonders about the extent to which an unvoiced homophobia may be contributing to the low popularity levels of a Kathleen Wynne who, herself, has not done much outright wrong. His TVO blog has it.

NOW Toronto is entirely right to recommend people born Canadian citizens take witness, at least, of citizenship ceremonies for new Canadians. I can testify that it really is moving.

The Three Percenters are the latest nativist social media-driven militia group in Canada, worthy of attention and concern. CBC reports.

This article in The Scotsman noting how some African slaves taken to plantations in the Carolinas came to use Gaelic, not English, as their common language is fascinating. What other influences came unexpectedly from Gaelic Scotland to African America?

Can Hong Kong use the Cantonese language to extend its influence deeper into China and elsewhere? The SCMP considers.

Progressive Download’s John Farrell notes brain scans that provide evidence of consciousness even in very young infants.

Drew Rowsome praises the Toronto production of the musical Fun Home, based on the Alison Bechdel graphic novel. I, for one, can’t wait to see it.

Starts With A Bang’s Ethan Siegel notes that, although Proxima Centauri is far too active a star for Proxima Centauri b to be Earth-like, that world could still plausibly host life-supporting environments.

Ilya Somin at the Volokh Conspiracy suggests a recent deal at the federal level in the US between Trump and Cory Gardner has created space for states to legalize marijuana without fear of federal intervention.

Edward Keenan writes movingly about how he and his deal with being a Toronto Maple Leafs Fan at playoff time. (As someone not born in Toronto, I think this city deserves better of its teams. Just saying.) The Toronto Starhas it.